UFO projects

No I did not fall off the side of the earth! So much has been happening at Ashlawnfarms Rag Quilt Creations lately that I don't know where to start!

I have completed many UFO projects-here is one that I will be keeping.

Others will be posted later.


I also re-opened my rag quilting cutting services in February. That is going well and keeping me on my toes.

In March I lost my dear Grandmother, so the last few weeks have been difficult in that respect.

Spring arrived pretty early this year and I have had to mow the yard 3 times now! My calendars from years past say that the first few days of April is when I have mowed for the first time that spring. This is such a different spring! Not complaining though!

Two new Treasuries I am in featuring Etsy 2012 Colors Tangerine and Aqua

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTA4OTgwOTN8MTY4MjA0MzA2Mw/2012-colors-turquoise-orange?index=1

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/NTYzMDI1NHwxNzEzNzM5Njc2/the-new-colors-for-2012?index=0

Minor 8-hour setback on Hexi quilt top today

This morning I was excited to be finishing up adding the purple and pink flower rows to the rest of the quilt top. I think I had about 4 more to sew on. Finished that, then spread the top onto the floor and to my immediate disgust realized it was backwards: pink where the purple should be and visa versa. I spent a while thinking about the mistake and how mad I was at not checking to make sure it was correct in the first place. While thinking I matched up the reds I needed for the next row. Here they are-I am going to have to cut more reds too, so this is not all of them.

After matching the reds for awhile I picked up my seam ripper and went to work on fixing my problem. Then sewed it back correctly. I am glad I did! It looks like it is suppose to now....

Update on Hexagon Hand Piecing

I have been stitching away at the Grandmother's Flower Garden Hexy quilt top this week. I took this picture a couple of days ago showing the pink and purple flowers that are stacked up and ready for adding to the rest. I sewed them together first and will be adding both rows to the top in the next few days.

This next picture shows the top with the pink and purple rows before they are added.

Check back for more updates.

Quiltsy Christmas Quilt Block Swap Quilt Top

 This past fall my Etsy Team Quiltsy held a Christmas quilt block swap. There were red and green and blue and silver groups. I did the red and green blocks. On my trip to my in-laws over Christmas I rummaged through my MIL's fabric stash and found this nice Christmas print that I used to set the top up with.

This top is going into my quilting pile now....there are 12 tops in front of it now to quilt. Wish me luck!

These blocks were done by members of the Quiltsy Team! Thanks girls!

Hand Piecing

Many years ago (about 15) I started this hexagon quilt top. I admit that it has sat and left unfinished for long periods of time over the years. It seems I have had other things get in the way of me finishing it. During our recent travels I took it with me to work on. Now I want to stick with it and get it done. My pictures are not really great -my camera needs a major adjusting. 

Anyway I have a stack of purple and pink flowers sitting here to finish those rows then on to reds. 

All the fabric in this top is vintage, some feedsack, and some definitely out of date!  

When I woke up this morning snow had arrived here in East Central Indiana. I am not a fan of the snow, but will enjoy having the sun warm things up here this week -and the snow will be gone until the next time.

Happy New Year 2012

Happy New Year from Ashlawnfarms! As the holidays are coming to a close it is time to start new goals for the new year. One of my goals is to destash many of the fabrics taking up room in my fabric closet. Today I listed on Etsy many listings of minky squares that I am parting with from my old cutting services. There are many listings to choose from. 

For Christmas I gave my niece and nephew homespun traditional quilts. 

Merry Christmas 2011!

The last few weeks have been busy rushing around getting Christmas things done. I had one sewing project to do for mom.....she loved her new quilted sweatshirt jacket I made her. My brother was most interested in the fact that I used a new sweatshirt to make it....he works on cars, so the "taking apart of things" perked his interest. 

The homespun string quilt block making stopped at 24 for now. The blocks are sewn together and will become a lap quilt soon. I sandwiched the 3 layers together last night and will have that to quilt up soon.

Homespun String Quilt Blocks Progress

As you can see I am making some progress on my Homespun String Quilt Blocks. The stack in getting higher....and my scrap pile is getting lower! I have 12 blocks done so far. 

Custom made Bible Cover

I recently had a request to make a Bible Cover in orange....here is what I created. It turned out cute.

I am back to sewing string blocks for the time being....have an awesome week!

Christmas Tree 2011

We decided to put up our small tree this year instead of lugging the big one up from the basement.  I placed it on our dining room table to give it some height, but I have tons of decorations and not enough tree....oh well. The decoupage ornament balls I finished up a few weeks ago look great on the old tree. I also hung a couple of my rag swag garlands over the front branches and it really completed the tree. I have an issue with the tree topper though.....I don't like it. It does not match the rest of the prim decor. My normal tree topper is an angel   but it is stained glass and does not work either. I am going to have to think on this one for a bit.....

DH started the painting behind the tree. I talked him into doing a prim barn star on it and he is working on the pip berries....not sure what is going on the left side, but he will come up with something I hope. It is an old textured abstract painting that he is re-purposing. Gotta love being married to an artist.

Custom Order Rag Quilting part 2

 Here are some pics of the finished rag quilted hipster purse. 

 Side 1

Side 2

Inside single pocket

If you are interested in ordering an item to be custom made please convo me through my Etsy Shop. I would be glad to custom create something for you! I do both traditional and rag quilting. Or can do a mix of both styles as I have done in this purse.

Christmas time gift requests are welcomed. However, I need at least 3 weeks to complete your simple order. Complex orders may take longer. 

Custom Order Rag Quilting part 1

I had a lady at my church order a custom made rag quilted purse for her daughter. She wanted something pink and had really liked the vintage fan hip purse I had hanging in my craft fair booth a month ago. So here is what I created for her daughter. These first pictures are from before the clipping, washing, and drying processes. 

More pictures to follow....stay tuned! 

Homespun String Quilt Blocks

I have decided to add a "Sewing Bucket List" on my blog. This past year I have acknowledged my addiction to sewing/quilting and have so many things I want to create before I ....ya know -kick the bucket. So as my grandparents would say "If the Lord is willing...." I will start work on my bucket list pronto.

The first item listed is to make a string quilt. I have in mind to make it all from homespun scraps. I am sure I have mentioned a million times my favorite fabric is homespun as I just love the primitive look that it has. I have quite a  large stash of homespun and a few bins full of scraps. So one of my goals with this bucket list item is to lessen my scrap pile.

Tonight I was able to complete the first 4 quilt blocks. I am using 10" muslin fabric for the backing of the strings.

One of My First Rag Quilts

A few years ago, when I started Rag Quilting, I gave my mother a special rag quilt for Christmas. She just loves vintage buttons and has a pretty impressive collection of them. She also loves the old feedsack fabrics and had given me a set of reproduction fabric charms she had in her stash. 

So it was pretty easy to create something for her using her favorites. I get a kick out of seeing her first reaction to it once she unwrapped it.....reminds me of the excited expressions grandma gave many Christmas's ago. 

Anyway, as I plan my Christmas gifts for this year, I hope to get expressions of equal proportion or better when she unwraps her _______________. All I am saying is it is NOT another Rag Quilt! :)

Moda Sanctuary Table Runner

My Christmas tree is still not up to hang my newly decoupaged ornaments, so maybe this weekend? 

Not too long ago I came across a small 2.5" charm pack I had stashed away. It was a Moda Sanctuary charm pack. Here is what it turned into.

Listed in my Etsy shop. 

My dog, Opal, modeling her new harness coat! I bought this from Little Paws Apparel on Etsy. I think she really is liking it after never wearing anything but her fur all her life. The harness works great too!

 

Strip Rag Quilt

Strip Rag Quilt -

Recently I finished this strip rag quilt. It is listed for sale in my Etsy shop. 

My tutorial to make this type of rag quilt is also listed in my shop there. 

Monday Doings....

After work I am still working on the ornaments, but I stopped to make a treasury on Etsy.

Quiltsy Treasury I made tonight:

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/NTYyOTM3N3wxMjc3NTI1NDMy/quiltsy-for-the-baby

Progress on the Ornaments

I think I need one more day of work to finish the ornaments I am decoupaging. Should be ready to hang on my tree in the next few days!

Small Business Saturday

Today was Small Business Saturday. I am glad to have a day to promote small businesses. I am offering 20% off everything in my Etsy shop until 11/28/11 the end of Cyber Monday. Coupon Code is THANKSGIVING20.

I finished making grandma's leg warmers last night. One more gift done!

I may add some sort of embellishment at the top of them, but for now this is what I have done.

Today I have been playing in decoupage and homespun fabric scraps  re -purposing some vintage glass Christmas Ball ornaments. I had spray-painted them last year and the did not turn out the way I had hoped so on goes the fabrics. So far they are turning out ok. I look forward to seeing them on the tree when they are done. 

Boring Black Friday

I cannot believe I am saying this, but I am bored. I guess that is what I get for staying home on Black Friday huh? Oh well. I did make my Christmas list for what I want to buy online, but hubby has to approve it first. I just want to be done already.

In the process of making my list I have decided to crochet my grandmother a pair of leg warmers, so I have started those. I may even make myself a pair! They are so warm and cozy already with what I have done.

Etsy Thanksgiving Weekend Sale

Shop my Etsy shop from now until all day Cyber Monday for 20% -Enter code: THANKSGIVING20

Thanksgiving 2011

For hearts that are kindly, with virtue and peace, and not seeking blindly a hoard to increase; for those who are grieving o'er life's sordid plan; for souls still believing in heaven and man; for homes that are lowly with love at the board; for things that are holy, I thank thee, O Lord!  ~Walt Mason


Great day at my brother's new place. God blessed us with such a beautiful day that included sunshine and warmer weather. We ate, chatted, and took a tour of the new barn being built. It was good seeing my brother and his family. I pray they are doing well.


Mom and I visited some before I headed back home. Planning for Christmas festivities seems to be coming together...though I need to check into what my fathers side is doing. 


I am thinking of doing all of my Christmas shopping online this year. I hate crowds for sure, and am not going out on Black Friday tomorrow. I hate getting up early and have to work a few hours anyway, so it works for me to shop online at my leisure and not deal with long lines and aching feet. 


This weekend I will be working on a small little girl's purse that a lady from my church ordered. I am hoping to have it for her this Sunday. 


As 2011 is coming to an end with one month to go I would like to send out a special "Thank You" to all of my readers who have reached my blog to read about rag quilting in one way or another. This year started out badly for me and I missed blogging for several months due to not feeling up to it.  Staying current with the latest trends is a tough thing to keep up with, so in those summer months I had much to catch up on. I have asked blog readers to give me feedback from time to time and have not had many respond to me, so I guess I am at least giving them information that is valuable to them, or they are not interested in my blabbering and move on. lol. My plans for 2012?


Well 2012, if God is Willing to allow me on this journey of quilt making and pattern writing, I plan to transition more into the traditional quilting where my roots are. Rag quilting is so easy and so non-challenging for me at this point that I need to venture into new territory.  I am just bored with Rag Quilting. There I said it....with that being said I have been toying with the idea of launching a new business name featuring my grandmother who taught me the art of sewing and quilting in the first place.  We will see- I will pray about it and see if that is where the Lord wants me to be next.  


God Bless you and yours as this Thanksgiving Day comes to a close.  Thank you again for reading my blog.

Bible Covers Listed on Etsy

New Bible Book Covers 

several are listed in my Etsy shop at this time.

Giveaway Winner!

I am happy to announce that Love2RagQuilt is the winner of my blog giveaway. I will be emailing your patterns shortly!
Thanks for entering everyone!

Happy Halloween!

Its the last day of October! My o my! After the fun festivities of Costume Parties, Trick or Treating, and Hay Rides, come visit my ePattern giveaway blog. There are still 2 weeks to sign up for a set of 13 Rag Quilting Patterns. Don't delay! 2 weeks will pass before you know it as this year has!

Fall 2011 Rag Quilting ePattern Giveaway

Ok here is your chance to win an entire set of my Rag Quilting ePatterns, instructions, tutorials. That is 12 ePatterns all together, PLUS my newest one that is not available yet- Rag Quilted Dog Bed.



Here are the rules. You just need to do 1,2 or 3. and please do 4.
1. "Like" my Facebook page: Ashlawnfarms Rag Quilt Creations.

2. Become a follower of my blog.

3. Blog about my giveaway on your blog.

4. Make a comment to this blog entry stating what you did.

Entries should be made by Midnight Sunday November 13, 2011. I will post a winner on Monday November 14th. Thank you and good luck!! Winner will send me his/her email. ePatterns will be emailed to winner!